What do i need to keep a cat as a pet?

Question

so i want to adopt a cat as soo many need a home yet they just end up getting destroyed :(. But what do i need to home a cat and how much will vet bills cost me. How often do i need to go to the vet eg nail cutting shots etc

Answer 1

Well the cat will need all its shots so it should be seen by a vet.  If you get the cat from a shelter, it costs much less and they do not release any animal unless it has its basic shots.  You will need a litter box, kitty litter and a litter scoop.  Three dishes.  One for water, one for dried food and one for wet food.  Give the cat 1/2 can of wet food morning and late evening, and leave dried food down and clean water every day. Try to buy dried food that has something in it for hair balls.   Litter box must be cleaned at least three times a day.  Once every two to three weeks, remove all litter, wash litter box, and add fresh litter...Cats do not like dirty litter boxes.  They are very clean animals.  

Answer 2

Litter box, litter, food.  I had our cat de clawed and fixed and it cost about about $75 with shots.  We don't take her to the vet unless she is sick.  She is very low maintance.  Just clean the litter box and feed her. She likes to pat at balls with bells in them.  Good luck

Answer 3

i've got a cat myself and here's my answer: you basically need a good place to keep him safe from hosehold hazards and supplies:

-a comfortable bed

-soft bristle or wire slicker brush (or you'll get hair everywhere and the   cat with get hairballs)

-scratching post

-cat carrier

-cat toys

-litter box and cat litter

-food and water bowl

-vet that you and your cat are comfortable with

-the most important thing: a cat that you are comfortable with and who applies with your requirements

Vet bills can be costly but the key to your cat's health is prevention good care can prevent him from getting disease and you wont have to pay so much later. But seriously, it really great that you want to adopt a cat because many are killed each year @ animal shelters due to the overflow of abandoned cats. My cat tigger has been with me for about 5 years and he's just one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Good Luck!!!!:]

Answer 4

1. Definantly the knowledge of the cat, cat breed, and e.t.c.. Love, too.

2. A place for it to sleep... Whether it's your bed, a bed, a couch, or something with a blanket.

3. Food and water and their bowls.

4. Litter box.

5. Carrier case, whether it's metal or the box you get him/her in.

6. e.t.c.. Whatever everyone else said!

Vet bills cost different amounts so it all depends. Consult a person at the animal shelter, a pet store, or a vet and ask them what they charge. If you go to the vet go many places and find out the cheapest and most efficient person.

I hope I help!

Answer 5

As far as the vet goes, it depends entirely on your cat's age and health. Check with the person you're getting it from to see if it's been dewormed and vaccinated. Obviously, kittens and ill cats are going to need more medical treatment. If you're getting a kitten, you're going to need about 3 vet checkups w/ vaccinations (about $40 for the checkup & another $10-30 for the shots at each visit). It'll also need to be spayed/neutered (it was $90 to get my cat spayed at the vet, but the humane society will do it for around $50). You don't have to get their claws trimmed at the vet-- that's just a waste of money & you'd be taking them in every two weeks or so to have it done. Another thing to take into consideration is that cats (especially kittens) get into a lot of trouble. You don't put them in a crate like a dog, so when you're gone, they'll run around the house and get into things they're not supposed to. My 3 month old (indoor) kitten got a parasite and we had to take him to the emergency vet on a Sunday. It cost us $126 to have him treated. Our other cat got upper respiratory infection (although she was vaccinated against it) and it cost about $65 to get her helped. we've spent close to $700 for medical care for our two kittens just since April (and most of it was shots and routine things).

Then, you'll need a litter box. <The ones with hoods are great b/c they keep your cat from flinging litter everywhere. > You'll also need litter, a scooper, plastic bags (we scoop it into Walmart bags, tie it up, and throw it away so it won't clog the toilet), food and water bowls, food, nail clippers, pet shampoo, brushes & combs, collar & ID tags, scratching post, toys (although my kittens prefer playing with grocery receipts & tennis balls), cleaning products, etc.

I also wanted to add, if you only want to "adopt" a cat because you don't want it to be put to sleep, maybe you should re-think getting one. I'm not saying not to. But you have to actually like cats & be able to invest time playing with them (esp if they're an only pet). They also get expensive if they're young or get sick or injured. So make 100% sure that you want a pet that will live with you for the next 15 years or so. They're expensive. My husband and I always joke that we should have just had a baby instead haha.

Answer 6

Your new pal will need a litterbox, litter (I like Tidy Cats with Crystal Blend) and sturdy scooper.  You will also need food/water dishes (make sure you always have fresh water available).  It is up to you and your vet whether to keep dry food out to feed them throughout the day (cats eat 10 or more small meals a day), or you just give them wet food (I leave dry food out all day and change it every morning).  You also need a scratching post (I have a cat house that they can sit on, lay on and use a a scratching post).  The last thing is toys - they need something to do when you are home to play with them, but toys they can play with on their own when you aren't.

As for vet bills and grooming...the initial visit may cost up to $150 - unless you are getting it from a SPCA.  Then it's usually included in the cost...some even pay for the neuter/spaying.  If they don't, you'll have to get that done, and it can cost anywhere from $30-150.  You can't really know how much vet bills will be, because it depends on what you are going to the vet for.  We charge an automatic $60 office visit - plus any other services.  If you have a short haired cat - no grooming is needed except for a brush.  Long haired cats may need a little more attention - brushing daily.  The only need sent to the groomers if they are excessively smelly or dirty (or have too many matts).  As for the nails, you can do that yourself.  Have the vet show you how (the RIGHT way) when you take the cat in for the check up.  Or stop by a groomer, and ask them (you don't really need to take the cat with you unless, once again, it's smelly or dirty).  The shelter folks can probably show you how as well.

Also, please consider having your cat being a indoor cat only.  They will live longer, healthier, SAFER lives.

Good luck with your new buddy - you're doing a great thing.

Answer 7

if you let them outside they wont need  to get there nails clipped ( which can be such a drama)

you need lots of love id say =] and yes like any animal they can cost alot , if your worried get him insured.

u need the basics ; food,water,toys,litter box plus litter and a scoop, a bed to sleep on and a colller

some cats are fussier than other and like diffrent foods , so be open minded with him/her

its a great learning experiance, rember to always let the kitten sleep when they want and never disturb them ( its how then learn trust) rember to sit it down and make it eat ( mine forgets all the time. and just give it lots of love. and a few inoculations they never go amis

=]

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Answer 8

What you truthfully need is knowledge. Read a couple of books on how to raise a cat.